Wessex Cyclocross League

Round 5 Sunday 5th October

Matt Macdonald (Hargroves Cycles) ran out winner of the latest race in the Wessex League beating team mate Andrew Hargroves (Hargroves Cycles) into second place after the two were locked together up until the last two laps when Matt upped the pace to pull away.

On another sunny weekend down south riders turned out in large numbers at the YMCA site at Fairthorne Manor just outside of Southampton. The excellent course was laid out in the complex camping site with its rolling grassy banks and a very technical wooded section. The course was a little slippery from yesterday’s rain but the course had dried out overnight and the early morning sun soon dried out the grassed areas.

The first rider to lead the race was James Cotty (I-RIDE) who led the riders across the field and out towards the woods for the first time, Matt and the rest were right on his wheel and once into the woods the order started to change. Macdonald led into the woods followed by Hargroves and Cotty. Close behind were Justin Hoy and Richard Mardel (Felt Colbornes) and Jamie Norfolk (PedalOn). Also up the font was League leader Richard Lewis (CC Basingstoke) and Tim Dunford a private BC member.

While the two Hargroves were beginning to pull away at the front behind there was a tussle forming. At the mid race distance the Hargroves riders had a lead of 25secs over Mardel, Dunford and Norfolk with Danny Bell (Ellmore Factory Racing) at one minute and Richard Lewis at 1min 26secs.

At the bell lap Mardel trailed Matt and Andy by 25secs and Dunford at 35secs and Norfolk at 42secs. The rest were now over a minute down or more. However while Macdonald eased away from Andrew Hargroves it seems Mardel had an issue in the woods allowing Dunford the opportunity to get by. As the leader emerged from the woods and into the field he had a good lead which he held onto right up to the line. Hargroves took second at 8secs and Dunford held on to finish 25secs down but five seconds ahead of Mardel.
There were wins for Mike Simpson (GS Henley) and Dave McMullen in the vet races, Tamina Oliver (Cotswold Veldrijden) in the women’s race and Tom Sewell was the first junior.

Results

Seniors
1st Matt Macdonald Hargroves Cycles 54mins 50secs
2nd Andrew Hargroves Hargroves Cycles @8secs
3rd Tim Dunford PM @25secs
4th Richard Mardel Felt Colbornes Hargroves RT
5th Jamie Norfolk Pedal On @47secs
6th Daniel Bell Ellmore Factory Racing @1min 45secs

Vet 40+
1st Mike Simpson GS Henley 44mins 40secs
2nd Graham Rogerson Army Cycling Union @30secs
3rd Tom Sewell Cotswold Veldrijden @1min 26secs
4th Tim Hyde GS Henley @1min 31secs
5th Dean Hitchings Eden Veranda Racing 1min 32secs
6th Sean Williams Cotswold Veldrijden @2mins 02secs

Vet 50+
1st Dave McMullen Cotswold Veldrijden

Women
1st Tamina Oliver Cotswold Veldrijden
2nd Sarah Barber NHRC

Junior
1st Tom Sewell Cotswold Veldrijden

Youth
1st Ed Gronbech Oxford City RC
 
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